The LG S95QR soundbar is an impressive high-end audio system that provides an immersive sound experience with its advanced technologies and sleek design.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Hey there! Have you been looking for a soundbar to give you a great audio experience while watching your favorite movies, TV shows, or playing video games? Well, I’ve got something that might be perfect for you – the LG S95QR sound bar.
Trust me, I was blown away by how much this soundbar enhanced my audio experience, and I think you will be too. Stick around, and I’ll give you all the details you need about this amazing soundbar.
2-Minute Review
Today, I wanted to share my thoughts on the LG S95QR soundbar. Let me tell you, I was blown away by the sound quality! This soundbar has some of the best audio capabilities out there, thanks to its 9.1.5-channel sound, six-channel wireless rear speakers, and subwoofer included.
With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the audio truly surrounds you, including up-firing height channels that create a powerful, immersive experience that even includes overhead audio. Plus, you can enjoy IMAX content with IMAX Enhanced, making you feel like you’re in a theater.
But the sound quality isn’t the only impressive thing about this soundbar. The Meridian Horizon upmixes two-channel sound, making it sound like it’s coming from all around you. The speaker drivers and subwoofer are newly designed, and they truly improve sound pressure and bass quality.
One of the best things about the LG S95QR soundbar is its easy use. You can control it with your LG TV remote or by voice with Google Assistant or Alexa, and it works with Airplay2, Chromecast, and more. The AI Room Calibration Pro optimizes sound in your room, making sure that the audio is balanced and optimized for your environment. It even works with your LG TV processor to automatically optimize sound quality.
Overall, I can confidently say that the LG S95QR soundbar is one of the best soundbars out there. With its impressive sound quality and user-friendly features, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a new soundbar.
Design and Build Quality
- Sleek and low-profile design
- Ten drivers with improved subwoofer
- Improved rear speakers for better sound distribution
If you’re looking for a sleek and low-profile soundbar that’s easy to mount on your wall, the LG S95QR soundbar might be just what you need! With dimensions of 47.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches (L x H x D), this soundbar won’t get in the way of your TV screen, and it’s perfect for TVs between 55 and 65 inches in size. The subwoofer measures 7.9 x 15.9 x 15.9 inches, while the surround speakers are 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 inches each.
The LG S95QR has a gray finish, but no other color options are available. While the build quality is good, it doesn’t quite match up to some of the more luxurious soundbars on the market. That being said, LG has made some internal changes to help boost the soundbar’s performance.
The S95QR’s main soundbar contains ten drivers, including two 20mm silk dome tweeters and two 52 x 99mm woofers for left and right channels. There are also two 50mm drivers on either end of the soundbar for surround side effects and two 63mm units on the top surface for height effects. In the center, a 63mm driver faces forward, along with a 20mm silk dome tweeter on the top surface for better dispersion and increased dialogue clarity.
The wireless subwoofer has also been improved from previous models, with the size of its driver increasing from 18 to 20 cm. The subwoofer has been revamped to add volume for increased sound pressure and bass quality, resulting in an extra 5dB average SPL in both subwoofer and soundbar performance. The rear speakers have a new apex design to distribute sound more evenly across a claimed 135-degree space, making placement more forgiving.
Features and Connectivity
- Great for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity in satellite speakers
- Offers a variety of connectivity options
One of the cool upgrades with this soundbar is the enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity in the satellite speakers. Thanks to the new FEM amplifier, the connection to the wireless subwoofer and surrounds is much more stable, and the signal sensitivity is improved.
Plus, the transmission distance has increased from 19m to an impressive 30m, which means you can position the speakers wherever you want in your living room, no matter how big!
There are also lots of connectivity options with this soundbar, which I love. It offers Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in. With Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, I can even control my streaming service, adjust the volume, and change sound modes with my voice.
Plus, there are a variety of hardwired connections, including eARC, optical, and USB inputs, as well as two additional HDMI passthrough ports that support gaming features like VRR and ALLM.
If you’re like me and hate cables running between your TV and soundbar, you can pair the S95QR with the new LG WOWCAST audio dongle (sold separately) to enjoy lossless multi-channel audio wirelessly. WOWCAST support includes bitstream passthrough for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X, and DTS-HD Master Audio.
The S95QR is also great for immersive sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It’s LG’s first soundbar to include IMAX Enhanced support, which uses a modified version of DTS:X. And with Meridian Audio’s Horizon technology onboard, it can upmix two-channel audio to 7.1 channels in music mode.
The soundbar also has a simple room calibration system onboard and offers plenty of choices to tweak the system’s sound to your liking with level control for channels, EQ, and a selection of seven different sound profiles, including Sports, Game, and Bass Blast. Personally, I prefer Cinema for films and Music for music.
When it comes to connectivity, the S95QR has got you covered. It has two HDMI 2.1 inputs that can pass through 4K video with Dolby Vision, HDR10, auto low-latency mode, and variable refresh rate (VRR) at up to 4K/60Hz.
If you’re a gamer, you’ll appreciate those last two specs. And with HDMI ARC/eARC, you can easily connect the soundbar to your TV. However, if you prefer, there’s also an optical connection available, but keep in mind that you’ll lose some features if you go with optical, including any Dolby Atmos or DTS:X that might be coming from your TV.
Audio Performance
- Improved low-end performance
- Upward-facing tweeter
- Impressive 360-degree soundscape
As I watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens with the LG S95QR soundbar, I immediately noticed an improvement in its low-end performance. The bass-heavy score had more oomph and better integration with the system, making the overall effect impressive. Although sudden impactful sounds like explosions or gunfire still sounded underwhelming, the soundbar added a healthy dose of cinematic rumble and dynamic depth without distraction.
One thing that stood out to me about the LG S95QR soundbar was the addition of an upward-facing tweeter, which improved dialogue clarity and openness. The sound system had great precision across higher frequencies but was carefully controlled to prevent any harshness at louder volumes. However, I did notice a slight lack of treble on occasion.
When I moved on to watch The Dark Knight, I was blown away by the 360-degree soundscape the LG S95QR soundbar created. The rear surrounds had a very even spread and enough weight to make me feel like I was part of the action. They performed best with atmospheric, airy sounds. However, I did notice that the voicing between the surrounds and the front sides could be more consistent. Moving sounds had quite a noticeable tonal shift at the point of handover. Compared to other soundbars like the Sonos Arc, which uses a single, cohesive soundbar system, the height effects from any direction weren’t particularly focused or effective.
Setup and Ease of Use
- LG Soundbar app
- Setup process may be confusing
- No way to save presets
Setting up the LG S965QR soundbar is actually quite simple. All you have to do is plug in the soundbar to your TV via HDMI or optical cable, plug the subwoofer and surround speakers into power outlets, and then plug the soundbar into a power outlet. Once you’ve done that, you’re good to go!
However, I want to note that the setup instructions with the soundbar may not be very user-friendly. The included diagram and text may seem confusing but don’t worry. You can download the LG Soundbar app for iOS or Android, which will guide you through the setup process step-by-step. This app will become your best friend when it comes to adjusting the various menus and settings of the soundbar.
If you don’t use the app, you’ll need to use the included remote control in conjunction with the small built-in display on the front of the soundbar. This display can only show a few characters at a time, making it difficult to know what you’re doing. However, the app will give you much more control over things like individual speaker levels, sound modes, and EQ, which is a big plus.
One thing to note is that there’s no way to save your preferred settings as presets. So if you find a specific combo of settings that work best for watching sports, you’ll need to remember them and change them each time you switch from one type of media to another.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re someone who’s looking for a high-quality sound system and doesn’t mind spending over $1000, the LG S965QR soundbar might be the perfect fit for you. This soundbar is an excellent choice, especially for those already owning an LG TV, as it can work seamlessly.
As LG’s flagship soundbar, the S965QR delivers an impressive audio performance that will elevate your viewing experience. The soundbar is ideal for larger rooms and TVs that are 55 inches or bigger. So, if you have a spacious living room and want to create a cinematic experience at home, this soundbar can be a perfect addition.
While the price may seem steep for some, the S965QR soundbar is worth the investment if you value high-quality sound and exceptional performance. The soundbar features advanced audio technologies and delivers an immersive sound experience that will transport you right into the heart of your favorite movies, shows, or music.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Impressive Sound Quality: The LG S95QR soundbar delivers exceptional sound quality with its 9.1.5-channel sound, six-channel wireless rear speakers, and subwoofer.
- User-Friendly Features: The LG S95QR soundbar is easy to use, with multiple ways to control it, including with your LG TV remote, by voice with Google Assistant or Alexa, and via Airplay2, Chromecast, and more.
- Sleek and Low-Profile Design: The LG S95QR soundbar has a sleek and low-profile design that won’t get in the way of your TV screen, and it’s perfect for TVs between 55 and 65 inches in size.
- Enhanced Wi-Fi Connectivity: The LG S95QR soundbar has enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity in the satellite speakers, thanks to the new FEM amplifier, which makes the connection to the wireless subwoofer and surrounds much more stable.
- Wide Range of Connectivity Options: The LG S95QR soundbar offers a variety of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in.
Cons
- Expensive: The LG S95QR soundbar is relatively expensive compared to other soundbars on the market.
- Limited Color Options: The LG S95QR soundbar only comes in a gray finish, with no other color options available.
- Build Quality: While the build quality of the LG S95QR soundbar is good, it doesn’t quite match up to some of the more luxurious soundbars on the market.
- Inconsistent Voicing: The LG S95QR soundbar’s voicing between the surrounds and the front sides can be inconsistent, and moving sounds can have a noticeable tonal shift at the point of handover.
- Lack of Focus in Height Effects: The height effects from any direction aren’t particularly focused or effective.
Final Verdict
After putting it to the test myself, I can confidently say that the LG S95QR soundbar is a top-tier option that’s well worth your investment.
One thing that stood out to me was how perfectly it fits alongside my LG OLED TV, making for a seamless integration between my sound system and television. And the sound quality? It’s nothing short of amazing. While it competes well with my Sonos Arc soundbar, I personally prefer the Sonos ecosystem. However, if I didn’t already have a full Sonos setup, the LG S95QR would be my top choice.
Let me tell you, this soundbar is no slouch. It’s designed to complement larger TVs, like my 65″ LG OLED, and delivers exceptional sound that truly immerses you in whatever you’re watching. And while it may be overkill for smaller TVs, it’s your money, and I believe that investing in a sound system that delivers exceptional sound is always worth it.
All in all, I highly recommend the LG S95QR soundbar as a top contender for anyone looking to take their home theater system to the next level. So go ahead and consider adding it to your system—you won’t regret it.
Specifications
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Height x Width x Depth | Soundbar: 2.5 x 47.2 x 5.3 inches Surrounds: 8.8 x 6.3 x 5.6 inches Subwoofer: 15.9 x 7.9 x 15.9 inches |
| Weight | Soundbar: 11.1 lbs Surrounds: 9 lbs Subwoofer: 22.1 lbs |
| Speaker channels | 9.1.5 |
| Amplification | 810W total output |
| Wireless connection | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect |
| Wired connection | HDMI 2.1 with ARC/eARC, HDMI 2.1 in (2), digital optical in |
| Sound formats | LPCM, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio, DTS 5.1, FLAC, WAV, AAC, MP3, OGG, AIFF |
| Video support | 4K/HDR passthrough, including Dolby Vision and HDR10 |
| Warranty | 1-year parts & labor |
